Our economy: Ready, resilient and resourceful

Nov. 9, 2020 1:00 p.m.
​A disciplined, responsible and measured approach to COVID-19

The City of Vaughan remains committed to maintaining the competitiveness of the local economy throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Small business is the backbone of Vaughan's economy and the City continues to take action to help local businesses and entrepreneurs recover from the unintended consequences of the virus.
 
Throughout the global pandemic, Vaughan has been guided by three core values – readiness, resiliency and resourcefulness – which continue to shape ongoing response efforts. During the latest meeting of the City's Ready, Resilient and Resourceful (RRR) Committee of Council, one of the focuses was on “our economy.”
 
Helping local businesses respond to COVID-19 begins with understanding its impact. The City provides up-to-date, relevant and reliable information to assist businesses navigate the various programs and support avenues available to them. With a 90 per cent increase in business consultations delivered at the onset of the pandemic, the demand for business-support programs continues to increase in Vaughan with a 150 per cent increase in repeat consultations throughout the summer months, and over 600 consultations facilitated since the start of the pandemic, with a new emphasis on existing businesses that have never accessed City services in the past.
 
The City is fostering resiliency building by launching new programs with focuses on training, educating and supporting businesses, and maintaining arts and cultural connections. Here are some of the highlights:
 
Training and hands-on support to local businesses in pivoting operations
Educating businesses on the challenges and opportunities presented by COVID-19
  • Launched the vaughanbusiness.ca website that includes a dedicated COVID-19 resource page.
  • Launched segment focused e-newsletters with targeted relevant information for small businesses; arts and culture; tourism and hospitality; and business development.
  • Partnered with local institutions like Vaughan Public Libraries, the Vaughan Chamber of Commerce and Niagara University to deliver webinars and virtual town halls.
  • Supported the #ShopVaughanLocal campaign.
  • Developed the Interim Tourism Meetings and Events Strategy to secure future opportunities in consultation with industry partners.  
Easing, wherever possible, extraordinary regulatory burdens on business
  • Launched the Vaughan Business Action Plan.
  • Supported the extension of the deadline for payment of interim and final instalments of property taxes.
  • Supported the extension of the business licence grace period. 
Maintaining community arts and cultural connections
To continue to serve the business community, the City will work to achieve its business plan’s objectives, with additional key activities making up the Vaughan Business Resilience Plan, including:
  • Securing Vaughan as the Region’s largest employment centre through programs to help businesses build resilience and adapt to the new normal.
  • Build up Vaughan’s key strategic sectors, such as healthcare, tourism and manufacturing, to provide employment opportunities in Vaughan post-COVID-19.
  • Share Vaughan’s re-imagined public spaces within physical distancing measures and invite the community to experience the cultural fabric of Vaughan.  
The mandate of the RRR Committee of Council is to publicly report on the City’s ongoing response efforts to the global COVID-19 pandemic. At the second RRR committee meeting on Sept. 29, discussions focused on updates and actions taken by City staff in the following categories: our people, our places, our services, our finances, our economy and our communications. Next week, the City will share additional information about “our communications.”
 
QUOTE
 
“Despite the universal challenges of COVID-19, Vaughan remains a city in demand. Our golden decade continues to shine bright. Vaughan is home to more than 19,000 businesses that employ more than 227,000 people. Our small business community represents more than 85 per cent of our local workforce and remains the backbone of our economy, which is as resilient as it is prosperous. Throughout the global pandemic, the City has implemented a number of resources, tools and programs to help support and aid businesses from the unintended consequences of the virus. Local business owners and entrepreneurs are our neighbours, our friends and our family. We will continue to advocate for their success, especially in these uncertain times. Our recovery plan will lay the foundation for a bright and promising future for everyone. We are all in this together, and I remain confident that by supporting each other, we will emerge stronger.”
- Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua
 
QUICK FACTS
 
  • On March 17, Vaughan became the first city in Ontario and the first municipality in York Region to declare a state of emergency.
  • Unanimously endorsed by Council during the May 27 Council Meeting, the mandate of the RRR Committee is to report on the City’s ongoing COVID-19 response efforts and plan for Vaughan’s post-pandemic future. The RRR Committee continues to work closely with members of Vaughan’s administration to identify immediate and long-term impacts of this global pandemic on City business and plan for its continued success. 
  • Throughout the pandemic, the City of Vaughan has ensured quality services are delivered for families, businesses and all citizens. The priority remains the health, safety and well-being of everyone that lives and works in the community.
  • Vaughan continues to take a disciplined, responsible and measured approach to reopening the city. As some restrictions are lifted, other precautionary measures remain in place to protect everyone in the community from further transmission of COVID-19. Visit vaughan.ca/ReopeningVaughan for more information on ongoing services, reopenings, continued closures and programs that have been impacted by the virus.
  • Those who feel unwell, and believe they have symptoms related to COVID-19, should contact York Region Public Health at 1-800-361-5653 or Telehealth Ontario at 1-866-797-0000. For additional information and resources on COVID-19, including physical distancing tips and advice from Public Health officials, visit York Region's website at york.ca/COVID19. 
LEARN MORE
 
  • City of Vaughan COVID-19 webpage
  • Ready, Resilient and Resourceful: Oct. 5 news release
  • Our people: Oct. 13 news release
  • Our places: Oct. 20 news release
  • Our services: Oct. 30 news release
  • Our finances: Nov. 3 news release
  • Ready, Resilient and Resourceful Committee: Sept. 29 staff report (PDF)
  • Ready, Resilient and Resourceful Committee: Sept. 29 meeting agenda
  • Ready. Resilient. Resourceful: Sept. 29 presentation
  • Mayor Bevilacqua establishes Ready, Resilient and Resourceful Committee: May 17 statement
  • Mayor Bevilacqua launches the new Ready, Resilient and Resourceful Committee: June 23 statement
  • Mayor Bevilacqua calls for a City of Vaughan 0 per cent tax increase for 2021: Oct. 14 statement
  • York Region COVID-19 webpage  
-30-
All News